Ranking every ACC team's recruiting class by blue-chip percentage

Recruiting in the ACC continues to revolve around the big three of Miami, Florida State and Clemson. The evolving conference continues to see others also make some waves, however.

In the 2026 cycle, the 17 ACC programs have combined to land commitments from 75 blue-chip prospects, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. All but four schools in the conference have a four or five-star in their class to date.

As flip season approaches, Rivals is looking at how every team in the ACC stacks up in terms of blue-chip percentage (4- and 5-star commits divided by total number of pledges).

Miami – 73%

Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes are tracking to have a memorable season this fall and the recruiting returns remain strong in Coral Gables. Of the 22 total commits in the class, 16 are blue-chippers. At the helm is Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 overall prospect in the Rivals300. No team has been mentioned alongside big potential flips more than Miami thus far this fall, too. Another top-10 class looks to en route in the 305.

Clemson – 59%

Despite Clemson’s early struggles this fall, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have already put together another impressive recruiting class to date. Eight top-200 prospects are committed, headlined by Rivals’ No. 3 wide receiver Naeem Burroughs and the No. 5 safety in Kentavion Anderson, who’s also the No. 1 recruit in South Carolina. If Clemson’s season continues to go down the tubes, it will be intriguing to see how much of this top-15 class the Tigers are able to retain through signing day.

Florida State – 52%

Florida State recruiting didn’t take a serious dive despite a 2-10 season last fall. Now that Mike Norvell and the Seminoles are back on track this fall, they’re looking to capitalize on some big flips this cycle and add to a top-15 pledge list that’s littered with blue-chip talent. Five-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon and Rivals’ No. 1 linebacker Izayia Williams sit atop the 23-man class that currently features 10 other four-stars.

North Carolina – 27%

It remains to be seen how the Bill Belichick era will unfold in Chapel Hill, but the legendary head coach has already shown some recruiting chops. The Tar Heels currently have the nation’s No. 18 class, per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. It’s a jam-packed pledge list that currently features a whopping 37 names. That hurts UNC from a blue-chip percentage standpoint, because it does have 10 four-stars in the mix. Four of those 10 are top-200 recruits, with Detroit athlete CJ Sadler at the top of the pack.

Louisville – 26%

Louisville is not a program that’s garnered much attention so far this fall, but Jeff Brohm and his staff continue to keep the Cardinals on the right track on the field and on the recruiting trail. While it won’t be inking anything close to a top-10 class, it is on pace for a top-30 finish this cycle. Six industry four-stars are at the top of the class, including cornerback Jaydin Broadnax and offensive tackle Jarvis Strickland, the top-ranked recruit in Kentucky.

SMU – 24%

As Rhett Lashlee and Co. continue to maneuver life in the ACC while coming off a College Football Playoff berth last fall, SMU continues to focus on in-state recruiting. Of the 21 commits in the class, 15 hail from the Lone Star State. There are five four-stars in the mix, including touted running back Christian Rhodes and Rivals’ No. 7 interior offensive lineman Drew Evers.

Where other ACC teams stand in blue-chip percentage

Note: NC State, Wake Forest, Virginia and Cal do not currently have blue-chip commits in the 2026 class.

Stanford – 14%
Virginia Tech – 11%
Syracuse – 10%
Pittsburgh – 10%
Georgia Tech – 10%
Duke – 6%
Boston College – 4%